DRUG dealers and boy racers who use Charford as their 'personal racing circuit' have compelled riled residents to form a neighbourhood watch group.

Charford Watch is being led by resident Patrick Proudfoot, who says he will not rest until the estate is a 'no-go zone for criminals'.

Mr Proudfoot said: "It is wonderful to see people getting together to make Charford an estate that people want to live on and are willing to fight back at the idiots, who find causing alarm and harm to decent law abiding folk some sort of perverse joke.

"I sincerely hope those who aggravate and abet this behaviour by drug dealing on the estate will see it as a bad move to mess on their own doorstep as it were, and cease and desist in their criminal behaviour.

"As for drivers who have used parts of the estate and the surrounding area as their personal racing circuit, let me tell you that cameras will be out and about.

"Charford, with the help of all law abiding citizens, is going to be a no-go area for criminal and antisocial behaviour."

The seeds for the group's formation were planted by a residents' meeting earlier this year, which was also attended by councillors and police and housing representatives.

An inaugural meeting of the Watch has already taken place, involving residents, Councillor Dr Michael Thompson and chair of the district neighbourhood watch group, John Ellis.

Cllr Thompson said: "I was delighted to support Patrick with this idea and, when we are fully up and running, intend to get as much funding and support towards it as I can.

"I am hoping the group can take advantage of the new deployable mobile CCTV scheme, which the council will be rolling out soon.

"Since the residents' meeting, police officers have been exceptional, providing updates in WhatsApp and Facebook groups.

"There is a real sense of community and a strong will in Charford - and we want to work with the police to combat crime and anti-social behaviour."